A Short History of the World by Geoffrey Blainey

A superb history of the world's people during the last four million years, beginning before the human race moved out of Africa to explore and settle the other continents. Mr. Blainey explores the development of technology and skills, the rise of major religions, and the role of geography, considering both the larger patterns and the individual nature of history. A delightful read, gracefully written, and full of odd and interesting pieces of information as well as thoughtful comparisons that span both time and space. —William L. O'Neill

Publishers Weekly

Blainey's strengths lie in charting the development of human functions—how skills became technologies, how beliefs became systems, how mechanical communications of every kind have strikingly changed the world, how lives have become more complex and more fulfilled.